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© Oregon University System, 2009
Contact:
Denise Visuano, WOU – Work: 503-838-8349; Cell: 503-580-1357
Di Saunders, OUS – Cell: 971-219-6869
Public health agencies approve re-opening; classes and all activities on regular schedule
May 4, 2009 – Monmouth, Oregon: Western Oregon University announced late this afternoon that it will be re-opening the campus tomorrow, on Tuesday, May 5, after conferring with local and state health officials today. The campus closed last week on Friday, May 1 as a precautionary measure after a WOU student was diagnosed with a probable H1N1 virus case that has since been confirmed by the Center for Disease Control as positive.
John Minahan, president of WOU, said, “Given the unique specifics of this H1N1 case at WOU, including the student’s fast recovery, the low severity of the case, and because we have had no other reported cases to date, the campus will re-open tomorrow. This complies with recommended closure procedures through an appropriate incubation period, which is now completed based on the initial date of onset of the student’s illness. Please be assured that the re-opening was done after conferring with top officials at the Polk County Health department, and the State Department of Public Health. Student safety is our primary concern, and there is agreement among the state and local agencies involved that in this particular case, re-opening the campus does not present a health risk to our students and campus community.”
WOU and Oregon University System officials have worked very closely with the local and state health agencies since last week to determine the best course of action to protect students, the campus community and public health and safety. Health officials are reminding the public that each case of 2009 H1N1 influenza must be treated in specific regard to the circumstances of the case, including the level of the patient’s illness, responsiveness to treatment, the incubation period of the illness, and other environmental circumstances.
At this time, all on-campus university classes, events, and other activities will re-start tomorrow, May 5 on the normal schedule.
“I am proud of our campus community in its response to this challenge,” said Minahan. “I thank the agencies and medical personnel who assisted our students. And, I thank students, staff, and faculty for their efforts in following state health guidelines and helping to contain the spread of the virus. Lastly, I wish to thank the entire WOU community for its understanding and flexibility.”
WOU is asking any student, faculty or staff person who experiences any flu-like symptoms to please seek immediate medical attention at the campus health clinic, or from their regular health practitioner. For more information about the H1N1 virus go to the Oregon Department of Human Services website to www.flu.oregon.gov